Midwest paddle booms

Although the sport was born and bred in the Northeast, fifty years later the rebirth of paddle was taking place in America’s heartland. The Midwest had witnessed a surge in paddle over the past five years, signaling good news for the health and well- being of the sport.

Growth in the region’s paddle community was evidenced by strength of play and players. As opposed to years past, many of the top-ranking competitors were from points west (Mansager and Goodspeed, men’s double champs from Michigan and ranking contender Bill Fiedler from Chicago, to name a few).

Tournament participation was up, as well as the number of mid-west-based facilities. The APTA now had five board members from mid-western states. Most telling was the fact that APTA membership in the Midwest had outpaced that in the East.

Yet, while the numbers proved a point, they did not tell the whole story. Growth came through the hard work and dedication of leaders in the Mid-west paddle community.

APTA Executive Director Ginna Ohlmuller explained, “This is not a sport that easily runs itself. To flourish, paddle needs strong organization and a catalyst.”

Source: Platform Tennis News, Summer 1996